Here's a cool piece featuring snippets from an interview with Aamir's cousin Nuzhat (Imran's mom). An excerpt: As a brother, Nuzhat says, "Aamir never tries imposing his views on you. He accepts whatever decisions I have taken in life." Nuzhat though has one wish for her brother. "He is terribly vulnerable with people he is close to. I hope he remains like that," she ends.

Added July 18, 2009:

Aamir joined Hillary Clinton at a Teach India event at St. Xaviers College in Mumbai. This Times Of India article (also the picture source) has more. The Teach India initiative asks volunteers to donate two hours a week to teaching poor children. Aamir is a Teach India ambassador, hence his presence. Visit this page at the Bollywood Food Club for much more, including links to pictures and NDTV video from the event! Thank you Sita-ji!

Added July 17, 2009:

This Aamir and Katrina Kaif picture, published recently in Filmfare magazine (thank you Filmi Girl for the scan), has been discussed a lot for the last week and a half. They're posing as Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rahman did for this poster of Pyaasa (1957).

Here's what Aamir had to say (at his blog) about it:

"The photo of Katrina and me is for a coffee table book on romance in Indian Cinema. Its got nothing to do with a film on Guru Dutt."

a. I want that table book! andb. It would have been nice if it were for a movie! I'd vote for Kajol to play Waheeda, but Katrina and Aamir are looking great here too. Aamir's been asked about a Guru Dutt biopic in the past, and while he hasn't said no, he has always maintained that he has yet to read a final script on any such project. This could get interesting.

Added June 14, 2009:Celebrating Lagaan Week this week, marking the eighth anniversary of the film. More here.

Added May 25, 2009:

Here's the trailer for Raakh (1989), releasing on DVD (and select screens) in a little over two weeks:

Added May 19, 2009:Raakh (1989) is finally releasing on DVD! It's the only Aamir movie I haven't seen. More here. This is really exciting!

Added May 5, 2009:Aamir was in Berlin a couple of days ago, and I'd like to say a big thank you to lizii24 for sharing these videos from the TZP screening there! Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4

Added May 2, 2009:And following the previous update, here are a couple of interviews with Aamir at or around the polling station in Bandra, Mumbai. Video 1 | Video 2.

Added April 30, 2009:Here is a news story which discusses Aamir casting his vote in the ongoing national elections in India, although he doesn't endorse a candidate as it says he does. How difficult is fact-based journalism, ye Indian media? This interview to Live India in which he discusses his ideal candidate speaks to his philosophy on leadership. The lesson: Stay away from those who 1) try to buy votes; and 2) segment communities based on religion and caste. He's compared the leadership style to the Divide and Rule mantra of the British Raj, which immediately brings to mind a few of his films. :)Added April 27, 2009:My friend Katherine has a wonderful guest post on Rang De Basanti (2006) at this link. Added April 22, 2009:Here are Aamir's new Coca-Cola commercials: One and Two. Here's a related news story, which also involves Lyricist Prasoon Joshi. Also see the making of the Tata-Sky commercial shared in the April 10 update.

Here's video of Aamir and Shah Rukh at the press conference on the revenue sharing dispute between producers and distributors, including keynotes by both actors. The intro to the event in the first one by the news anchor is hilarious, but there's nothing hilarious about why they were there. Check them out. And please say a big thank you to SkorpionChik06: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4.Added April 6, 2009:

Watch all the commercials mentioned in the April 1 update at this YouTube link.Added April 1, 2009:

Reuters India has an interesting piece at this link, involving Aamir and his production house involved in filming three commercials encouraging individuals to vote in the upcoming elections. "We are not endorsing any political party, we are only asking voters to make an informed choice," he said. Here's the CNN-IBN related story.

The story also mentions Imran Khan, who was also in the news recently for saying he's a big SRK fan! Way to go, dude. Let's hope you say it enough times for the people to *finally* get the point.Added March 29, 2009:

Actor & Filmmaker Aamir Khan joins Earth Hour 2009, as the face of the campaign in India "Climate Change is undoubtedly and regrettably, the biggest immediate long-term environmental challenge we face. A failure to come to sound policy outcomes on climate change will not only have a negative environmental impact but also social and economic consequences for all of us. Stand up and join us in the fight against climate change. Support Earth Hour."

Added March 21, 2009:

Interview with Aamir: Part 1 | Part 2. Fun and fact-based, hear it from him. He's playing a lead role in wife Kiran Rao's directorial debut Dhobhi Ghaat! Woo hoo! The other leads are Prateik Babbar and two (yet to be disclosed) actresses.

Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) update: The next AKP film, after Imran Khan starrer Delhi Belly, is a film based in Bhopal and focusing on the gas tragedy. Here's some related gossip, which also notes Lagaaniite Raghuvir Yadav stars in the lead.

Ghajini to be re-released in April: Here's the news story. Don't think it'll make its way outside India. The re-release of Jaane Tu after the inclusion of a popular song did not make its way here. Thank you Darshit for the update.

On his 44th birthday: Video 1 | Video 2. An interesting take on birthdays, and a great take on politics and the democratic process. A note on his 3 Idiots diet, and tips on staying young. Some of the questions asked are hilarious, and the clips worth watching for them alone! Thank you SkorpionChik for the videos.

Happy birthday Hindustan Ka Hero, and Ghajini DVD release

The frame is from Rangeela (1995). Happy birthday Aamir Khan! This March 14, let's confer upon you the title of Hindustan Ka Hero. There are few who understand their audience as well as you do, sir, and somehow, I don't think we need more than 21 years of consistency in the sustenance of excellence to appreciate all you've contributed to a medium we love.

I've been thinking of ways to add links to news, interviews, and updates on Aamir on an ongoing basis. There's plenty out there that I've resisted sharing for fear of boring those of you who aren't Aamir fans. So here's what's going to happen. This post will evolve into the Aamir corner (okay, the Aamir-worship corner ;) of this blog. It will be updated often (I hope at least fortnightly) with links to mostly fact-based sources of information*. A link to the post will be made available in the sidebar by the end of next week. The post will also be available at www.HindustanKaHero.com (I know it sounds more like a game show, but still). Added 3/13, 2120 PT: Here are a couple items to start with:

From here (great take on power): “My relationship with my audience cannot be defined by a number, it cannot be changed no matter what anybody says, and that relationship is proved on a Friday when my films release.”

Here is a must-read to better understand Aamir's points of view on power, being number one, and his run at the box office.

In other news, the Ghajini (2008) DVD released earlier in the week. On a not entirely unrelated note, here are a couple minutes from Aamir's guest lecture** at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad last month***. A big thank you to my good friend Dr. KB (that's not his real name) for sharing. Discussions here include the role of the test audience, and perceptions of a scene from the 2008 Christmas day release.

And finally, thank you Filmfare Magazine for featuring this blog in the 4 March 2009 issue. Fittingly, it has the ever-lovely Katrina Kaif on the cover! Below is the section on page 120. Here's the next page. Here's the post featured. There's no other film I'd rather be associated with, if only as a fan :)

* I'll try not to succumb to the allures of an Aamir v. SRK debate. That'll be too easy :P

** In other news, I realized a few days ago that I might just have attended the wrong business school and in the wrong country****.

*** I hope the students were required to read The Spirit of Lagaan by Satyajit Bhatkal. It's a Project Management classic which discusses the supply chain of Lagaan, and the numerous touch points being referred to in this lecture at IIMA. More importantly, for those of us external to the film industry, it's a magnificent eye-opener.

69 comments:

Congratulations on having your blog featured, Aamir's birthday means Eros sell all his movies they have for £1 which means i get to buy loads of his movies, QSQT, JJWS and many more Aamir classics here i come

bollywooddeewana: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, I haven't tired of at all. Does Eros Entertainment (I'm assuming that's the firm you're referring to, but it might not be?) have these specials on stars' birthdays? They're not the distributors/publishers for the vast majority of Aamir films, although I'd totally buy a second set of Aamir's filmography at that price!

Nicki: That scene (and Aamir performance) in Rangeela was so perfectly done! LOL at the Mithun comment, might this be why? ;)

Ref: the domain name comment, thanks. It could be a film, right! Perhaps all of us bloggers should make one with that title some day! I'll hope to keep the page updated. The individual who compiled the piece for Filmfare magazine had contacted me for permission, so I knew beforehand.

Darshit: I see your blog header has the cake! I *hope* that issue sold out, LOL. I also have been wondering if it was distributed during the Filmfare Awards. I wonder, for instance, if Tabu came across it. I haven't come across info for the Ghajini DVD release in India yet (anyone know?). It's available at Nehaflix.com.

Bollyviewer: Thanks. There'd be nothing much at all without you all who make the blogging worthwhile. LOL at the controversy comment. It's true. But in my quest to appreciate fact-based approaches in journalism, I think it's best to stay away from this one in particular (I just don't feel it appropriate to heed much someone who feels the need to call himself the king -- if he needs to say it, he isn't, the end! ;). Fittingly, perhaps, the controversy even made it to the cover of this very edition of the magazine. :)

Ajnabi and Shweta: Thank you!

Pitu: Thanks, yaar! I have requests for the dawat (from daal makkhani and rumali roti to seekh kebab/tikka/tandoori chicken and parathas), you will be held accountable :P

Thanks, Bhargav. HindustanKaHero.com will basically redirect to this post, which I'll start updating next week with the content. The URL is working for me already, although I configured it this afternoon, and I know not all the resolution services globally work as fast. It'll be an interesting DVD, I'm waiting for it. I have yet to review the Jaane Tu DVD, is anyone interested in a DVD review? Have a great weekend, as well.

All, PS: Here are interesting bits from a recent Aamir Khan interview (link below, also added to the post):

I have been working in the industry for over two decades and I have never made any comments about anybody. However, over the years I noticed that Shah Rukh has been repeatedly talking about me publicly. In all fairness, I too decided not to remain quiet and respond to him publicly.

In his recent interviews, Shah Rukh sounds bitter about you. For instance, he has said that his kids will never be your fans or that his dog refuses to be called Aamir.Let me say one thing clearly, no matter what Shah Rukh tells his children, I will tell my kids to always love and respect him. What he teaches his children is entirely up to him. I have only warm regards for him and wish him all the very best. I do understand that Shah Rukh works very hard,which I think is a wonderful quality.

yeah i was referring to eros entertainment, they usually have all their dvds for about a pound whenever it's a stars birthday, i'm hoping they'll do it for Aamir although the only movies they seem to have of him are JJWS, QSQT, Sarfarosh, Ghulam & Awwal Number

I want to know what this big Aamirian did all day to celebrate b'day.And hey, check out Mtv india. It has hillarious lines abt Aamir's bday in its Tickr.And yup, FF must be there in Tabu's hands, so enjoy ur moment.

bollywooddeewana: They seem to have separate product availability by geography (which is not uncommon for online vendors), but thanks for the information!

Darshit: Great, now you too can get the Ghajini DVD! Thank you for sharing that information with all of us. T-Series and Aamir go back a very long way, that's for sure.

I'm celebrating Aamir's birthday a day later, i.e. Sunday, because I was stuck in a conference room all Saturday long (and I *mean* all 16 hours of normal human uptime *sigh*). Do you remember what lines MTV India had on the day?

Ahh..Mtv tickr was quite funny that day. See examples : there is a party at Aamir's place today.Hope it will be 'Perfect'"Program is tattoed all over his body" "if party goes longer, it will be tattoed on body of Govinda [for more space]" :D"Imran is thinking of getting his eyebrows colored" "SRK is missing from the party......oh there he is.....cornering Aamir's dog"

Hey Darshit, I hope you're right about either Nandita Das or Konkana Sen. They're both great, although Das would be fantastic here. Blogger ate up your previous comment, but I haven't seen Bhopal Express either. Good luck finding it! I'm surprised there are issues with it, though, it's fairly recent, isn't it?

Darshit: Since the same post is updated it's not going to show on the Dashboard; I can think of a couple of ways around this. One would be to have a 'Last Updated: Date' in the sidebar for the section. Or, I could put a note on my Twitter page every time I update something in the Aamir section...there is a Twitter feed that can be subscribed to using an RSS reader. Thoughts?

workhard: That picture is from Rangeela, right. Isn't it funny how it would almost remind one of his role in Raja Hindustani? :)

Hey Darshit. No worries, man. There is no way I can make time for a second blog. And because I'm going to be updating at least once every couple weeks, I think it might be best to try out the last updated note for certain, and Twitter if I can the chance. Until later.

Can you plz post some pictures, stills or videos from Aamir's film Raakh? I've read everywhere that Raakh is one of the best and most power-packed performances of Aamir. Can you please post a review on it? Please, please post something regarding Raakh.

Hi Anu, and welcome. You bring up an interesting film, one I haven't yet seen. Raakh is the *only* Aamir Khan film I don't own, and that is because it was never released on home video! I hear it's close to being released on DVD, and please know that as soon as I can get a hold of it, assuming the news on it being released some time over the next year is true, I'll get my hands on it and discuss it. Cheers.

Thanks! :) I know it is not available yet! It used to be available online, some time back. But its videos were removed due to some copyright issues. I hope the news about the release of its DVD is true. There are scores of Aamir fans who've been searching for its videos like crazy! I've found some trivia, some old reviews and a few stills from the film, but still the information isn't enough! I hope you get it and post all the info of that film here. Thanks and Good luck!

SRK has always been very media-savvy, and if it weren't for that trait, there was no way he could have sustained his popularity on the strength of his films alone. Almost like Salman, but the media can't stand Salman and he still comes through! :P

It's not surprising that there are all sorts of issues with the exhibitors, a lot of it, as Aamir says, not legal (let alone unethical). Let's hope something good comes of it all.

And finally, from this interesting TOI read, from their front-page today. So now there's a patch-up? The media needs stories, I think Aamir and SRK are way, way ahead in feeding them those stories!

When Aamir and Shah Rukh were together, the bonhomie and camaraderie was obvious, as they helped each other with answers, often scribbling notes to one another and whispering in each others ears when one was at a loss about some fact. Their body language loudly proclaimed friends. If this was an act, boy, these guys are thespians.

Nice. Thanks for sharing, Darshit. That's quite a statement. And I can't imagine the multiplexes won't resolve the issue before the next Aamir/SRK release, there's just too much they stand to lose from it. These next couple of months are going to be quiet :(

But isn't that a good thing, Darshit? All those brands, as you say, are good. And he's been doing them for a while, so I don't think fans should want to restrict the creativity that these ads present. They're all so...well made! Okay, I need to go get my supply of Monaco this weekend. :)

Thanks for the update! I knew about the theme of the farmer suicides and all, but didn't know the title. 'The Falling' sounds interesting. I can't imagine Kiran Rao wouldn't be involved in it somehow either. Of course, we look forward to it!

Anu: As always, thanks for all the great info! If true, it's sad how the producers of Raakh were timing it for the money while not paying attention to their own selling point! Fingers crossed for the DVD release, I'm sure some of us will get it day 1 :)

Well, as you must be knowing already, Filmfare has brought its special issue profiling the 80 Most Iconic performances in Hindi Cinema. They have listed four Aamir performances in this list - Rang De Basanti, Lagaan, Sarfarosh and Rangeela. Amitabh also has four performances listed there. The actor who had the most number of iconic performances listed there turned out to be Sanjeev Kumar - he had 5!

Check out the issue, if you haven't yet.Also, I'd like to know, which Aamir performance did you vote for? :)

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This blog is merely a labor of love. It never has and never will contain advertisements of any sort. Copyrights to images, music, and video are owned by the respective content publishers. Copyrights to the text, unless otherwise noted, are owned by me.

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"See, I wanted to be a director, I became one. Wanted to be an actor, I became one. Wanted to make good pictures, I have done that too. Have money, have everything. But I have nothing left."

Guru Dutt

"The world screams and shouts all kinds of advice and suggestions and actions to be undertaken, but in the end you fight your battles alone. It's just you and your opponent, your issue, your problem."

Amitabh Bachchan

"While we can use cinema as a medium to teach, create awareness, make people think, make people socially more aware, etc., the fact is that cinema's primary purpose is to entertain."